Some Arkansans could be without power until 2013

After blizzard, Entergy says some in Arkansas could be without electric service until 2013

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) -- Entergy Corp. says some Arkansas customers who lost power during the Christmas Day blizzard could be without service until 2013.

Entergy Arkansas spokeswoman Julie Munsell says it's possible that some people won't have their electricity turned back on for seven days.

The utility saw 191,000 customers without service at the peak Wednesday morning. About 159,000 customers remained without power by late afternoon.

Entergy says customers in Helena-West Helena and Russellville should see power restored Wednesday, while Pine Bluff, Stuttgart, Lonoke, Marion and Forrest City should have service restored by Thursday.

Blytheville and Jacksonville are expected to be back up by Friday. Entergy says it will take seven days or more to restore power to the hardest-hit areas in Little Rock, Hot Springs and Malvern.